BT Fon / SFR Fon

[Cardo]

So back at home (for the time being at least) we have a BT Infinity internet account with Fon enabled. In the UK I have had no problems using BTOpenzone and BTFon wifi hotspots.

I've tried logging into a couple of the rather rare SFR Fon hotspots here in France however they don't recognise my @btinternet.com logon details that I use for the aforementioned hotspots in the UK. We've had a relative back in the UK call up BT wifi support and query this and the best the "help" desk person could say is that we don't have access to French hotspots, you need to get a Fonera for that. What a load of tosh.

So, has anyone had any luck with this? The whole idea behind Fon is that you can log onto other hotspots around the world as long as you're part of the system. BT saying "Meh, you can't use it in France" is just a load of rubbish.

 

[[3889]]

Generally no success with SFR but I have logged on once, in Rochefort, so it is possible. No idea why it normally fails with login not recognised. The rare Fon spots in France which are shown on the Fon website have always worked OK.

 

[Cardo]

Generally no success with SFR Fon but I have logged on once, in Rochefort, so it is possible. No idea why it normally fails with login not recognised.

It's ridiculous.
Don't understand why BT don't make an issue of this with SFR. It makes a mockery of the whole system.

I bet SFR customers can access BT Fon hotspots.

 

[nigelmercier]

Get Fon with BT

As a BT broadband customer, you get automatic membership to the Fon network. It’s the easiest way to get free access to Fon hotspots throughout the UK and across the world.

http://www.btfon.com/

Having said that, I'm a Fonero (I've got a Fon router), and sometimes have problems outside the UK.

 

[[3889]]

I'm also a Fonero and seem to have the same problems as Cardo.

 

[Cardo]

Get Fon with BT

As a BT broadband customer, you get automatic membership to the Fon network. It’s the easiest way to get free access to Fon hotspots throughout the UK and across the world.
http://www.btfon.com/

Interestingly enough, I can't login to the btfon.com website. My BT credentials work for the BTFon and BTOpenzone (now BTWifi) hotspots in the UK, and I can check my BT Fon opt-in status on the BT page using my usual credentials, but the btfon.com website won't accept them. I wonder if this is part of the problem? Unfortunately, all that page says is you get access by having BT internet.

BT, as expected, don't seem to know their arse from their elbow so are no help.

 

[nigelmercier]

Try signing in here: http://corp.fon.com/, if it doesn't work, contact them, not BT.

 

[Cardo]

Try signing in here: http://corp.fon.com/, if it doesn't work, contact them, not BT.

Sadly, that just takes me to the BT login page for my BT account.

 

[nigelmercier]

Sadly, that just takes me to the BT login page for my BT account.

Contact them and explain the problem: http://corp.fon.com/contact-us

 

[Cardo]

Contact them and explain the problem: http://corp.fon.com/contact-us

Thanks. I've sent them a message, however I won't be holding my breath!

I get the impression this is a technical issue either on BT or SFR's side and nobody can be bothered to sort it.

 

[Chris_Robb]

I am a BT Infinity 2 user. I can use BT Fon and BT Wifi easily in the UK - ie login and password is recognised.

Go into the http://www.btfon.com/ and try to log in it does not recognise me. If I now click on check my status - I get quite happily into the system and yes I am opted in.

If I go to http://corp.fon.com/ and drop down to BT, I get a BT login screen which does not recognise me.

Well not much point in chasing it through as Greece does not subscribe!!!

 

[Cardo]

I am a BT Infinity 2 user. I can use BT Fon and BT Wifi easily in the UK - ie login and password is recognised.

Go into the http://www.btfon.com/ and try to log in it does not recognise me. If I now click on check my status - I get quite happily into the system and yes I am opted in.

If I go to http://corp.fon.com/ and drop down to BT, I get a BT login screen which does not recognise me.

Well not much point in chasing it through as Greece does not subscribe!!!

We have pretty much the same as you, although we're not in Greece, yet!

 

[Blue5]

Like most, BT user, Fon and Openzone are OK in UK but never yet been able to get a connection or use it abroad.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Like most, BT user, Fon and Openzone are OK in UK but never yet been able to get a connection or use it abroad.

Contacted BT yesterday - like savaging a dead sheep.

Next stop is Advertising Standards I think..... So start you complaints to them and perhaps Trading Standards

 

[nigelmercier]

Some things to try:

Check you are active https://support.fon.com/entries/21443271-How-to-join-Fon-through-BT-Broadband
Can you log in here http://www.btfon.com/main

 

[Chris_Robb]

Some things to try:

Check you are active https://support.fon.com/entries/21443271-How-to-join-Fon-through-BT-Broadband
Can you log in here http://www.btfon.com/main

Nigel - These links are talked about in the threads above. You cannot get a log in through them, despite going onto BT's direct site to check your membership status.

This situation and advertising in the your first link is very misleading - thus it needs to be referred to the Advertising Standards and Trading Standards.

 

[nigelmercier]

^
That's why I suggested checking the status ...

I am a BT Broadband customer. How do I check that I've joined BT FON?

You can do this by double clicking on the hub manager icon on your desktop or by going to http://bthomehub.home. Under the Services menu and WiFi Community you'll see either a green tick or a red cross. If there is a green tick you are a member of the BT FON WiFi community.

I log into my second link via a non-BT email address.

 

[Chris_Robb]

^
That's why I suggested checking the status ...




I log into my second link via a non-BT email address.

Nigel - I have checked bthomehub.home, I get this
Your BT Wi-fi account details

BT broadband option:	BT Infinity Option 1
BT Wi-fi community status:	Opted In
	27
	Terms and conditions

Opt out of BT Wi-fi
Sorry to hear you're thinking of leaving BT Wi-fi. Remember, you're welcome to join again if you change your mind.
To opt-out, enter your details below and click to opt-out:

BTinternet email address: eg: g.gibbons@btinternet.com Forgotten email address?
Password: Forgotten password?

There is no BT-Fon thing anywhere!

I have now successfully rung BT and apparently when abroad, to use Fon, you have to contact the local provider who will give you a login! Not exactly what it says on the tin!

Any ideas to the screen with the Green Tick - I cannot find it!

 

[Cardo]

I have now successfully rung BT and apparently when abroad, to use Fon, you have to contact the local provider who will give you a login! Not exactly what it says on the tin!

Could I suggest you contact Fon directly and make them aware of this information?
I contacted Fon support to see if they could help and they replied with the usual technical babble, eg. clear cache, cookies, use a different browser, etc.
It appears to me the issue is BT and/or SFR aren't sharing/allowing checking of login details so the entire Fon system is not fit for purpose. I would think Fon would want to have words with the companies about this if their system is going to survive much longer.

 

[KevinT1]

Very pleased to see that others have the same problem - I'm like the others where I'm on BT INfinity and can use the user@btinternet.com option to log into BT Wifi options in the UK and I can log into my router using the FON option, but cannot use FON overseas or log into the http://www.btfon.com/main website.

Have raised a support request on the FON - will update if I get anything